Hidden .22 Mag cartridges under the butt plate

[dobe77]

I purchased a used Winchester 9422M a while ago and decided to do a thorough cleaning. I was surprised to see someone had drilled holes in the end of the buttstock and they were populated with .22 Mag cartridges! I'm not sure what they were trying to achieve as the butt plate has to be removed in order to access the extra cartridges. Any thoughts?

 

[Robert Richardson]

Pretty obvious, spare ammo for an emergency.

 

[BigMoose]

Is it a metal plate, Id be worried that dropping the rifle in that case could have been rather... adventuresome.

But even with a plastic or rubber one, I dunno.. weird.

 

[singlestacksig]

i remember a few guns that were specially made to store rounds like that, but i think the hole was made to protect the rim.
somebody probably copied that idea..

 

[pitbulld45]

Ive not seen this in person but have heard of old timers stashing extra rounds like that, kind of a survival stash.

 

[Bigtanker]

Pretty cool.

I've heard stories of people putting the original receipt or a log of hunts, pictures etc in the stocks too. Some really cool finds have been made.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Is it a metal plate, Id be worried that dropping the rifle in that case could have been rather... adventuresome.

But even with a plastic or rubber one, I dunno.. weird.

By the time you got enough pressure to detonate it, the rifle stock would be destroyed. We are talking dropping from a plane, fatal car crash, etc. level of energy.

Those shells rely on a small section of the rim to be impacted.

 

[OurDee]

In the Mojave I kept a scorpion in the cleaning kit compartment in the butt stock of my M16. It was my pet. On post it was kept in my helmet with the liner pulled out.

 

[bwframe]

Wonder if the stock bolt hole is big enough around to fit a mini Bic lighter?

 

[DadSmith]

If you plan on doing the same you might want to switch to nickel plated brass for better corrosive resistance.

 

[yote hunter]

I have 3 22 rifles that all look like that an have for the last 50yrs .

 

[stocknup]

I have a couple of the Savage 24 Campers that have storage in the buttstock but has a swivel access door .
Also , it holds 10 shells , but all in one deep hole vs several . Always liked the idea .

I`m surprised that they didn`t use some kind of cushioned pouch and put a lot more in the large stock mount hole ?

 

[BE Mike]

As others have noted, that isn't an uncommon practice. Some folks keep waterproof matches in buttstocks, extra ammo and other emergency items. If the user hunts in remote areas or keeps the gun in a vehicle for emergency survival, it isn't a bad idea.

 

[yote hunter]

I have 3 22 rifles that all look like that an have for the last 50yrs .

My father did my 22’s when I was a child .
He said his dad did his ,so you would have extra ammo when your out Hunt’n .
Mine are mostly 22 shorts and a few 22 lr

 

[dobe77]

Thanks for the excellent responses! A lot of knowledge here.

It is an early 70’s gun which probably lends itself to the “old timers stashing rounds”.

 

[stocknup]

Thanks for the excellent responses! A lot of knowledge here.

It is an early 70s gun which probably lends itself to the “old timers stashing rounds”.

I like the comparison ...............the 70`s = Old Timers , I`m sure others will appreciate it too .

 

[Pepi]

Armageddon​

 

[Ironhippie]

I have an 1897 Winchester I inherited from my Grandpa and rolled up inside that hole was his 1924 Hunting Lic. Very Cool

 

[dobe77]

I like the comparison ...............the 70`s = Old Timers , I`m sure others will appreciate it too .

I knew I might get some flack for that comment, but I think that is reality. I keep reminding myself that I am not old, but that is now debatable.

 

[stocknup]

I knew I might get some flack for that comment, but I think that is reality. I keep reminding myself that I am not old, but that is now debatable.

No Flack .......still enjoying a chuckle . I refuse to look at myself as getting old .